Transport and Infrastructure

Our work IN

We have a strong proven track record in the transport sector for public and private clients

We are one of the few major European contractors to have successfully delivered work for both Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Highways England, Transport Scotland, DfI Roads (Northern Ireland’s Department of Infrastructure) and the Welsh Government.

SelectedPROJECTS

Luas Cross City, Dublin, Ireland

A19 Coast Road, Tyneside

Before this major upgrade of the A19/A1058 junction, drivers experienced severe congestion.

Over 80,000 drivers a day are experiencing safer and smoother journeys across North Tyneside thanks to the opening of the North East’s first ever triple decker junction.

The £75 million Highways England Coast Road scheme has been completed on time and traffic is now able to use the new section of road. This means that drivers will no longer have to negotiate the roundabout and can continue straight on along the A19.

M17/M18 Motorway

The M17/M18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme forms part of the Atlantic corridor outlined under Transport 21 (Transport 21 is an Irish infrastructure plan). The scheme involved the design and construction of a new road to replace the existing N17 and N18 between Gort and Tuam in County Galway in the West of Ireland.

The 53 km motorway standard road commences at Gort and terminates at the Kilmore Roundabout, just south of Tuam. From Tuam the road is a 4.2 km Type 2 dual carriageway which bypasses the town and joins the existing N17 at Mountpotter.

Crossrail

Dragados Sisk Joint Venture (DSJV) was responsible for the design and build construction of 23km twin bore tunnels running from Victoria Dock in the east to the new Crossrail Farrington station in Central London. With a leg of tunnels splitting off Stepney Green.

This also included the design and construction of a new 200m-long marine berthing facility at Instone Wharf, located on the River Lea where it enters the River Thames, to be capable of handling approximately two 85m-long vessels. The facility was used for exporting approx. 1 million m3 of excavated tunnel material by self-propelled vessels.

The project involved most aspects of marine civil engineering including dredging, reclamation, beach nourishment, rock armour, concrete armour, marine piling, underwater stone screeding, extensive diving operations, seawalls, coastal revetments, breakwaters and slipways all of which are designed to function at all states of the tide. The breakwaters are designed for a 1 in 2,000 year storm event.

Part of the project contained the remains of an old disused Wicklow County Council landfill. Significant project works included landfill remediation involving the removal of approximately 9,000m³ of existing landfill material and sealing of the landfill cell using a bespoke geo-synthetic lining system and spreading of cell capping material and landscaping and seeding to form part of a public park. Further works included protection works to eliminate future coastal erosion along the boundary of the old dump location.

Grand Pier, Weston Super Mare

Grand Pier in Weston Super Mare was destroyed by fire in July 2008 and has been rebuilt by John Sisk & Son.

The challenges of constructing a high quality leisure venue on top of a fire damaged Edwardian substructure, 300 metres offshore in difficult weather conditions called for the very best engineering and programme management skills – which Sisk supplies.

Access to the pier pavilion was restricted by weight limits on the pier waist and so Sisk used cranes mounted on ‘jack up’ barges to place steelworks and other construction materials.

The works included the placement of an innovative composite steel level deck over the pavilion and pier head footprint – saving weight and build time when compared with a conventional concrete deck.

There is also a new covered glazed walkway along the waist of the pier topped with a wave form GRP canopy affording covered access for visitors to the new pavilion.

The new two and three storey steel framed pavilion superstructure is supported on new tubular piles that supplement the existing Edwardian pier structure. The pavilion houses brand new and exciting attractions as well as some old favourites and is a venue for weddings and special events as diverse as pop concerts, boxing matches and the finals of the Miss Great Britain contest.

The success of the project was recognised by the National Piers Society who presented the owners with a special award “in recognition of the Outstanding Achievement in restoring the Grand Pier.”

We respond to challenges in a truly collaborative manner

Highways

Sisk’s in-house temporary works capability with regard to highways projects is an integral aspect of our business offering. It has been central to the development of unique, innovative, cost-effective solutions for our clients . The quality of our approach has been underlined by continued award recognition from various industry bodies including Considerate Constructors, Constructing Excellence, ICE, IHT, CECA and Green Apple.

M17 M18 Motorway, Ireland

Rail

Sisk has a proven capability in the rail sector across the UK and Ireland. Our experience includes stations (such as the award-winning refurbishment of several London Underground tube stations), track installation, light rail projects, term maintenance work and ancillary work around existing rail facilities.

We are one of the leading term maintenance contractors carrying out structures remediation, buildings refurbishment, mechanical and electrical planned maintenance, litter clearance, earthworks, fencing, drainage clearance and repairs on behalf of Network Rail and other train operating companies.

Greystones Marina

Port and Marine

Sisk has a growing presence in the ports sector that has been reinforced by recent projects in Chatham, Sheerness and Liverpool in the UK as well as the Greystones and Dún Laoghaire Marina projects in Ireland.

Critically, we understand the challenges of the port environment and work in close collaboration with our clients to maximise efficiency while maintaining live port operations.

The fact that we offer both marine and land side expertise is attractive to our clients as it reinforces our promise of a truly multi-disciplinary service. This offering is complemented by the skilled, experienced people in our in-house engineering team, who are core to the development of innovative, temporary and permanent design solutions. Our team’s expertise has been central to de-risking complex solutions on numerous major projects.

We provide fully-integrated construction solutions, including both building and civil engineering works

Infrastructure

Wide ranging infrastructure experience includes: public realm work, structures, remediation/ground improvement schemes and development infrastructure. Early engagement with client teams and stakeholders has driven risk reduction and best value delivery.

Sisk’s ability to self deliver wide ranging works differentiates us from many of our competitors. The ability to deliver earthworks, drainage and structures reduces the reliance on supply chain partners as part of a flexible delivery model. This approach has consistently helped us to develop and deliver robust, cost effective solutions, while also limiting risks posed by capability and capacity issues within the local supply chain.

The quality of our performance is demonstrated by our multi award winning performance in this sector. For example, our bridge installation project at Temple Quay, Bristol, received a prestigious Considerate Constructors Gold Award.

Arena Bridge, Bristol, UK

Wind farms

Over the past 10 years Sisk have played a key role in the delivery of wind farm infrastructure in both Ireland and the UK.

Key features include the construction of over 170 wind turbine generator foundations and hardstands and the placement of in excess of 90,000m3 of concrete.

Our team's also have site extraction and processing of up to 550,000m3 of rock per wind farm, deep peat management including turving and reinstatement, substation construction and habitat management.

Other Transport & Infrastructure Case Studies

Limerick Tunnel

Limerick Tunnel

This PPP scheme consisted of the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of approximately 10km of dual carriageway incorporating 675m of an immersed tube tunnel under the River Shannon.

The scheme extends from a new interchange at the end of the Phase 1 Limerick southern Relief Road to the N18 Ennis Road and includes 4 no. major grade-separated interchanges. Construction of the scheme commenced in August 2006 and was complete in 2010.

The scheme comprises 10km of hard tolled dual carriageway and a 2.3km single lane carriageway together with associated interchanges and local road alignments and as well as the immersed tube tunnel under the River Shannon, including 43 other major structures and a 750m causeway across Bunlicky Lake. The main toll plaza is on the mainline with a satellite toll plaza on the single lane carriageway line at Clonmacken.

Sisk were contracted to DirectRoute to construct the major structures including the main and ancillary toll plazas, overbridges, underbridges and farm underpasses.

Sisk also provided a considerable amount resource to the Construction Joint Venture in respect of the core management team utilising the particular skills this staff have in marine engineering of this type.

Gidea Park, Essex, UK

Gidea Park, Essex, UK

Sisk Rail completed the installation of a train carriage wash with associated enabling works for MTR Crossrail at their sidings at Gidea Park, Romford, Essex.

As Network Rail was redesigning the track layout throughout the sidings, the facility was originally installed at a temporary location within the sidings in July 2016. This was on the basis that removal would have to take place 12 months later, either permanently or upon return for re-installation within a new area.

The carriage wash plant was designed to sit on pre-cast concrete bases which could be removed and relocated. A base station was established when the wash plant was first installed, whilst the tanks for water and detergents, along with the pumping chamber, were located at the base station in addition to the plant controls.

New water supply, detergent and drainage ducts were installed between the new location and control station some 350m away and laid within a single 350mm dia. duct.

Lisheen Wind Farm, County Tipperary

Lisheen Wind Farm, County Tipperary

Lisheen Wind Farm, County Tipperary

Construction of eighteen wind turbine bases, each of 540m3 reinforced concrete single pours, for Vestas V90 Turbines. Four of these bases were constructed within the Bord Na Móna peat bog areas.

The construction of eight kilometres of new access roads as well as crane hard standings, with associated drainage and culvert construction works to accommodate the delivery and erection of the turbine components.

Further scope of works included the installation of 22km of ducting between the turbines, the installation of the earthing cables and the civil works for the substation.

The initial contract programme was 20 weeks with actual completion achieved 24 weeks. An extension of time of five weeks was awarded for additional scope of works of having to make the floating crane hard stands ground bearing due to a new requirement by the turbine suppliers to increase the size of the main crane from a 500t to a 1000t.

Within the contract period Sisk also completed a large earthworks operation for Lisheen Mine by excavating 100,000m3 of quarry fill material and hauling for 3.5 kilometres through the wind farm access roads to facilitate the future decommissioning of the mines tailings pond.

Dawlish Station

Dawlish Station

Sisk Rail successfully completed the rebuilding of the seaward platform damaged during a huge storm in February 2014. 50% of the structure had been washed away, with the remains left beyond repair.

Our task was to rebuild the riser wall with platform copers on the top, featuring a like-for-like cantilevered timber platform and handrail towards the sea. Challenges included contending with ongoing storms and a tight deadline of ensuring the railway would be open in time for April.

We were also instructed to revamp the station which included new roof cladding, lighting and decorating.

Parkwest Train Station, Dublin

Parkwest Train Station, Dublin

Located within Park West business park on the Dublin-Cork rail line, the project was developed as a joint venture between Harcourt Developments, Dublin City Council and Iarnród Éireann.

The project consisted of the construction of platforms, the main station building and concourse and a plaza. The concourse, measuring 500m2 is constructed in structural steel, spanning both the existing Dublin-Cork rail line and the proposed future (KRP) tracks between the main stair cores which are constructed in reinforced concrete.

The steel structure was assembled offline and installed during two track possessions using a 500 tonne mobile crane. The concourse is located approximately 5m above the existing track levels. The concourse roof canopy features a spaceframe structure, providing the most visually striking feature of the station.

The spaceframe roof was fully assembled offline and installed during a single track possession using a 500 tonne mobile crane. The concourse incorporates ticketing and retail facilities, automated ticket vending machines and ticket validation barriers.

Clapham South Underground Station, London

Clapham South Underground Station, London

This major refurbishment of this Northern Line Underground Station involved alterations to the ticket hall, lower concourse and platform, as well as the installation of cable and communication systems to cater for improved passenger security and information needs.

As a listed building, the station walls, floor and ceiling finishes were restored to their original condition.

Excavation and construction of two new tunnels was undertaken, 25 metres below street level. These excavations required a temporary shaft, 2.5 metres diameter, to be excavated from street level requiring a major traffic management system.

Working hours were restricted, mainly occurring during the night, hence, keeping noise and dust to a minimum was essential. The quality of the refurbishment has been recognised, by the Ian Allan National Railway Heritage Certificate of Excellence Award.

Whitelee Windfarm, Scotland

Whitelee Windfarm, Scotland

This JV project required the design and construction of an extension to the largest onshore wind farm in Europe. Sisk in 50% JV partnership fulfilled the role of Principal contractor for the client and scope included design and construction of the following; 10km of excavated track and 34km of floating roads over deep peat, 68 turbine bases in peat depths of 3.3m, extraction/processing of one million m3 of rock from borrow pits and on site concrete batching of up to 45,000m3.

The access roads were completed in low-strength peat layers to 6m depth and turbine foundations required excavation up to 8.5m depth of peat with on-site water treatment using silt traps, lagoons and rock filtration systems.

The project ground conditions were challenging with the presence of peat layers exhibiting low-strength characteristics. This necessitated foundation excavation to depths of 6m of peat and the construction of floating roads over peat using Brash Matt and Geotextile.

The civil construction programme was completed on schedule in various weather conditions from the deep freeze of 2010, to the heavy Scottish rainfalls, in an environment of deep peat with depths of 6m recorded onsite with the construction team achieving the completion of 1.5 million man-hours on site without a lost time incident.

Shanganagh Wastewater Treatment Plant

Shanganagh Wastewater Treatment Plant

The plant is the 4th largest in Ireland

The Shanganagh Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) was completed as part of the Shanganagh Bray Main Drainage Scheme. The Project required the design and construction of a WWTW at the site of the existing works and the refurbishment of the Bray Pumping Station.

This project also includes the operation and maintenance of the existing and newly constructed Shanganagh WWTW, Bray Pumping Station and Bray Stormwater Storage Tank until 2032.

The plant is considered an essential service and operates on a 24 hour basis. The plant provides pre-treatment, full secondary treatment and drying of sludge while delivering energy recovery through biogas generated as part of the treatment process.

Monarch Hangar, Birmingham Airport

Monarch Hangar, Birmingham Airport

Building on our previous successful hangar delivery at Birmingham Airport, we subsequently completed a design and build contract to provide Monarch Airlines with their new 110,000 ft2 hangar.

The steel frame structure has the capacity to accommodate wide-body aircrafts such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350. Associated office space was also provided.

Due to the location of the works within the airport, all individuals entering site undertook stringent security clearance procedures, together with receiving a comprehensive health and safety briefing.

These works are part of Monarch’s drive to further enhance their offering within the UK.

Pearse Station, Dublin

Pearse Station, Dublin

Pearse Station, Dublin

Works are taking place at Pearse Station and a total of 13 dedicated construction weekends are likely to be required during this time to allow for crane operation.

ECI M8, Cashel Mitchelstown

ECI M8, Cashel Mitchelstown

The Cashel to Mitchelstown project, awarded to Sisk and our JV partners is the first Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) scheme in Ireland. ECIs were part of an initiative arising from Sir John Egan’s work on the New Engineering Contract (NEC) to improve contracts and involve contractors earlier in the tendering process.

The scheme comprises the design and construction of approximately 37km of dual carriageway together with various drainage culverts and drainage systems, four interchanges, side roads, link roads and accommodation roads. The structures comprise 19 overbridges, 12 underbridges, six river crossings, seven accommodation bridges, one rail crossing of the Waterford to Limerick line and 34 PCC box culverts.

The earthworks were designed as a balanced cut and fill operation, utilising all the suitable material from major cuttings to form the required embankments throughout the project. The project was a 50:50 joint venture with Roadbridge Ltd.

M58, Sefton, UK

M58, Sefton, UK

M58, Sefton, UK

Work started in June 2019 on a multi-million pound M58 improvement scheme in Sefton.

The project involves the construction of the ‘missing’ slip roads at Junction 1 of the busy motorway, providing a northbound off-slip and a southbound on-slip.

As well as improving journey times between Maghull and North Liverpool, it is hoped the scheme will reduce traffic on the A59 and some residential roads and facilitate potential future development in the Maghull area.

Contact us and see how we can work together

Paul Brown

Paul is Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the UK and Ireland Civils teams. He is also MD of the UK Civils team and has a proven ability to lead complex, large infrastructure projects. Developed over 25 years in the Civils' industry, Paul has strong leadership skills enabling him to lead effective teams, develop strong and lasting customer relationships and to ensure customer value is an utmost priority.